Consumer Awareness and Acceptance of Palm Weevil Larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) for Use in Processed Meat Products

Palm weevil larvae (Rhynchophorus phoenicis), locally known as akokono, are traditionally consumed in Ghana but remain inadequately integrated into commercialized food systems. This study assessed consumer awareness of akokono as a food source, willingness of nonconsumers to try processed akokono products, and acceptance of akokono as an ingredient in processed meat products in Ayeduase, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional survey design involving 150 respondents selected through a mixed convenience-intercept and snowball sampling approach was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. The results showed that 41.3% of respondents currently consumed akokono, with taste identified as the major reason for consumption (80.6%). Although regular consumption was moderate, awareness of akokono as a traditional food source was generally high among respondents. Among nonconsumers, 58.8% expressed willingness to consume akokono when incorporated into processed products, while sausage was the most preferred product form (59.7%). Acceptance of processed akokono products was generally favorable, particularly when incorporated into familiar food forms. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant association between akokono consumption and sociodemographic variables, including gender, age, and educational level (p > 0.05). The findings suggest that incorporating akokono into familiar processed food products may improve consumer acceptance and support the promotion of sustainable alternative protein sources.